Polite and patient symptoms?

[Gianni]

Hi there,

I was talking to a friend of mine the other day who was diagnosed with UC a few years back (before i got diagnosed with Crohns Disease) And he mentioned to me that he got sick the first month of summer the same exact time i got sick. I then realized my brother started popping up with crohns like symptoms right after he graduated from college and had a 6 month break before he started his job. I got sick the first month of the summer after i graduated from high school and the doctors told me i had severe crohns and that it was amazing i never felt symptoms before. Furthermore I remember a fellow student of mine in junior high who got diagnosed with leukemia the summer between 6th and 7th grade.

Is it possible, and i know it might sound weird, but does the body try and wait for a more relaxed time to introduce symptoms to you? Maybe the body doesn't want to show symptoms of the disease or ailment until the body is in a relaxed state so that stress levels don't overflow. I mean during the school year i was always stressed more than i was during the summer. My grandpa started experiencing heart problems just a year after retiring and it seems to be a trend among senior citizens retiring. Maybe it is just because they were more active at work or maybe its because the body didn't want to burden more stress on itself. And then there are cases for people who just get really bad all of a sudden, whom like my aunt who was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and then two months later died. She got sick doing her daily routines, she wasn't at a relaxed state so maybe the body had been putting off showing the symptoms till it was too late and the disease had progressed to extreme agressive measures and the body went into emergency mode where it had to show the symptoms.

Just a thought process i'd like to develop.

Anyways i made this thread because i wanted people to post if they FIRST started experiencing symtoms in a time of relaxation, maybe while on vacation or while stress wasn't a factor. Or if they experienced acute symptoms all of a sudden in a stressful time in their life.

Thanks!

Gianni

 

[2thFairy]

Many times I experienced a flare AFTER a very stressful event. For me, diarrhea usually would hit after something rather than during. Even now with a stoma, if I'm really stressed out, my output slows down big time, and then when I relax, it will run and run and run to the point of mild dehydration.

 

[Avw]

I so wish my symptoms were polite and patient, but they are quite the opposite. Stress always exacerbates symptoms.

The only weird thing I've ever noted is that the only time I've had remission in the eight years since diagnosis was while pregnant. Had a perfectly healthy pregnancy and perfectly healthy baby. Then a few months after, back to my normal flaring self, and stopped responding to Remicade. But I've heard other people say this too, so I guess it's not all that uncommon.

Other than that, my disease has no rhyme or reason, doesn't prefer any particular time or season.

 

[Ihurt]

Hey Gianni,

I have not been dx yet, I am still waiting to have tests. I do have A lot of health issues besides intestinal though. I think you may be on to something though. I thought about what you said, and yes, it makes a whole lot of sense. I started having intestinal pain and issues over a year ago. I have had two bad flares. (my current GI thinks IBS), but I am not so sure. I have not had any scopes or anything yet, that is what I am waiting on.

I do absolutely notice ALL my flares were after a stressful event. Last year in April I was having a bad few days( I was in pain with my gut). Well my dog that was only 8 years old just died suddenly. This was devastating to me. Puddin ( my dog), was my everything. Here is the thing though. I was in such a state of shock and disbelief that my gut pain just went back in the box. I mean for over a month I felt fine in my intestines. It was like the shock and stress of losing my doggy just put my body in that fight or flight mode. So I agree with you, I think the body has these protection modes that sends signals to the brain and shuts things down. I have noticed this not only with my intestinal pain, but with my other health issues as well.

It makes sense. When you are at rest, your body lets it's guard down naturally. All mt health issues started after a major stressful event back in 2003. My mom died. I am not saying I got sick because of the stress, but I think it all adds up. I also got a flu shot two weeks before I got very sick. That also could have played a part. Who knows. Also AVW mentioned while she was pregnant she was well. Another shield the body puts up for protection, in this case it was protection for the baby. That is common too. I have a friend who has a lot of health issues and is pregnant now and she says she feels great! But anyhow, I agree with you~

 

[Niklovely]

My Crohn's symptoms showed up during a VERY stressful and almost traumatic time period in my life. I was studying abroad in Europe and kept being fed 4-5 day old food by my host family, the mother being very rude and inconsiderate and did nothing to help make us feel welcome in her home, often kicking us out while we were trying to do our homework.

But I do see what you are saying. I notice that when I have a day off, after working 6 consecutive days, I'm so extremely tired. Its like my body doesn't feel any signs of fatigue until I let it rest.

 

[Susan2]

I can't say that my Crohn's has followed this kind of pattern, but I was a teacher and always came down with a cold as soon as the holidays had begun - never in term time.

 

[Terriernut]

My flares always are the most impolite, obnoxious times they can possibly be! Mine dont wait. In fact, the worse the timing is, the happier my remaining colon will be to create havoc.

Always stress brings it on. And my employer LOVES to give stress out. (they must think it helps? NOT)

 

[lizzy16]

I can relate from both sides - My symptoms started when I was working and stressed out, but they were mild (mild enough for doctors to think I just had a touch of IBS). When I started traveling in 2011 they kept up but I was still very active and enjoyed my travels, eating and drinking my way through Europe. When I arrived in England with no more plans and nothing to do, that's when it hit me really severely and I knew something was really wrong then.

 

[SarahBear]

My symptoms started, as far as I can tell, when I was about eight - so I wasn't excessively stressed or relaxed, really. At that time, they were mild. When I was sixteen and my life became very stressful, my symptoms intensified greatly. It wasn't very polite or patient to me! Also, like most other people have said, flares tend to come when I am stressed.

Edited to add:
After thinking about it, I've realized that a lot of times, it seems that my body waits until I get home to really fall apart - that having more to do with the fatigue than the pain. I'd say that's mental, rather than Crohn's being considerate.

 

[Ozboz]

My symptoms showed up after a bad car accident bout 2 months after i got diagnosed the weird thing is i walked away with just a bit of whiplash from the accident,
I usually flare at the start of spring which is happening now here in oz and ive been flaring since monday just feel like crap and heaps of intermittent from hard to soft stool oh and not to mention the crazy pain i notice that when i get home from doing stuff i feel tired and like crap when i try and relax and have more bm's for some reason

 

[Wooddy]

Gianni,

I really like your "outside the box" thinking. Sounds like you are on to something. The observations that you made about your family members is very keen, most people wouldn't look at the picture that way

I remember when I was diagnosed with UC the onset was insidious. I first noticed symptoms sometime in 1996, I think it got worse in the summer but I was stressed out waiting to hear the results to see if I passed my board exams. I was a mess until I started smoking and the UC symptoms went away for a while, at least until I quit a few months later. However, it wasn't until two years later, in the beginning of the summer of 1998 that I remember having a series of flares that landed me in the hospital for the first time in my life.

It was no fun, I had previously planned a 2 week trip to Greece to see my family in September but by the time July rolled around, I realized that I might not be able to go. Fortunately, my symptoms subsided at the beginning of August and remained relatively quiet. I was getting a little nervous a few days before my trip but I wasn't experiencing symptoms so I hopped on the plane and went to Greece. I remember that 9 hour flight and I didn't need to use the bathroom more than once. By the time I landed in Greece, I was in vacation mode! I remember it clearly – I was surprised that I hardly experienced any symptoms during the entire trip. It's a good thing too because many of the restrooms I encountered over there consisted of a hole in the ground with skid grips for your feet! I was so relaxed during that trip that I even had to stop taking my blood pressure medication as well because it was getting so low. Even the long plane ride home was fine.

Eventually, In the fall, two months later, my symptoms started to get worse. Some time after Thanksgiving, I wound up in the hospital. This time the colonoscopy revealed pan-colitis, I was in agony!

Although what you are pointing out doesn't exactly match up with my personal experience, I definitely agree with the approach you are taking.

The body is always trying to maintain homeostasis to stay alive. This happens in everyone, but the way each person maintains it may not necessarily be the same as the next person. Each metabolic system connects to the next one, sometimes in several ways - this built in redundancy facilitates the maintenance of homeostasis. However, sometimes something interferes with that balance, the changing seasons definitely have an effect on how the body maintains that balance and so does stress. I am sure you will agree that there are tons of other factors involved on how each person responds. Your theory makes sense, certain people may be more prone to disease in the summer, or times of relaxation and another subset of people are influenced different factors. Presentation of disease ultimately results from the pleiotropic effects that result in loss of metabolic control from the perceived stimuli and although the result may be the same, how each person got there maybe different.

 

[EmilyElizabeth]

Gianni I fit with your theory. I was in Uni drinking and partying, studying my ass off stressed and busy all the time, also doing travelling and backpacking. Perfectly healthy. Then I graduated, got a job that was pretty steady and unstressful, life slowed down and suddenly- my symptoms started. I thought it was just a coincidence but maybe there's something to it!

 

[moogie]

If I have stress I have symptoms it's a sure fact.

As for being symptom free before graduation..maybe all the booze you students were drinking killed the symptoms... Interesting Idea, let me get drunk and I'll get back to you with my results.

 

[UncleChuckSucks]

My flares often come up before a stressful event, and sometimes disappear completely the second it's over. Other times, by some miracle horrible symptoms will pause when I'm on a long car or plane ride and know I there's no way out. I think my UC has a mind of its own, in that sometimes it flares surrounding (before, during, or after) stress and other times it does me a favor by pulling the plug on all systems when it knows there is no other option, that I would be totally and absolutely screwed if I had an issue just then.

This guy says it really well in "Friday I Wore Khakis." It's about how, in the throes of dire illness, he had already booked a vacation and went anyway. His symptoms shut down for the trip, then he was sick again when he got home. But on the trip he was okay.
http://www.douglasmack.net/GR/khakis.html

 

[Gianni]

Gianni,

I really like your "outside the box" thinking. Sounds like you are on to something. The observations that you made about your family members is very keen, most people wouldn't look at the picture that way

I remember when I was diagnosed with UC the onset was insidious. I first noticed symptoms sometime in 1996, I think it got worse in the summer but I was stressed out waiting to hear the results to see if I passed my board exams. I was a mess until I started smoking and the UC symptoms went away for a while, at least until I quit a few months later. However, it wasn't until two years later, in the beginning of the summer of 1998 that I remember having a series of flares that landed me in the hospital for the first time in my life.

It was no fun, I had previously planned a 2 week trip to Greece to see my family in September but by the time July rolled around, I realized that I might not be able to go. Fortunately, my symptoms subsided at the beginning of August and remained relatively quiet. I was getting a little nervous a few days before my trip but I wasn't experiencing symptoms so I hopped on the plane and went to Greece. I remember that 9 hour flight and I didn't need to use the bathroom more than once. By the time I landed in Greece, I was in vacation mode! I remember it clearly – I was surprised that I hardly experienced any symptoms during the entire trip. It's a good thing too because many of the restrooms I encountered over there consisted of a hole in the ground with skid grips for your feet! I was so relaxed during that trip that I even had to stop taking my blood pressure medication as well because it was getting so low. Even the long plane ride home was fine.

Eventually, In the fall, two months later, my symptoms started to get worse. Some time after Thanksgiving, I wound up in the hospital. This time the colonoscopy revealed pan-colitis, I was in agony!

Although what you are pointing out doesn't exactly match up with my personal experience, I definitely agree with the approach you are taking.

The body is always trying to maintain homeostasis to stay alive. This happens in everyone, but the way each person maintains it may not necessarily be the same as the next person. Each metabolic system connects to the next one, sometimes in several ways - this built in redundancy facilitates the maintenance of homeostasis. However, sometimes something interferes with that balance, the changing seasons definitely have an effect on how the body maintains that balance and so does stress. I am sure you will agree that there are tons of other factors involved on how each person responds. Your theory makes sense, certain people may be more prone to disease in the summer, or times of relaxation and another subset of people are influenced different factors. Presentation of disease ultimately results from the pleiotropic effects that result in loss of metabolic control from the perceived stimuli and although the result may be the same, how each person got there maybe different.

Thanks Woody!

Very good points, homeostasis may very well be the factor behind this correlation. After reading responses and thinking about it maybe vacations although relaxing, still are uncomfortable for some because you never want to have to rush to the restroom 10 times a day while on a bus tour. Maybe the body really does try and listen to you, if you aren't comfortable having disease present then it will not show itself unless its at an agressive point where it has to show itself. That is maybe why people show symptoms when truly relaxed, like when i was finally done with high school and just enjoying the summer on the beach and in my neighborhood ( a place i am extremely comfortable in) my body decided now was the best time to present symptoms as stress levels will not reach danger high. Anyways i loved reading your response, Thanks

Gianni

 

[Gianni]

I'm going to bump this thread, I'm revisiting this theory.

Gianni